Punjab Police’s Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF) plans to integrate drones, satellite imagery and AI-powered predictive systems into a first-of-its-kind 3D policing model for highway safety.
Unlike conventional police units, SSF personnel are not diverted for law-and-order duties, allowing them to focus on road safety and rapid emergency response. Since its launch in February 2024, the dedicated highway patrol has responded to 43,983 road accidents and helped 47,386 people, with 19,973 receiving on-the-spot first aid and 27,413 being shifted to hospitals. Director general of police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said specialised training, including crash investigation and emergency medical response, has driven a 45-48% drop in fatalities on SSF-patrolled stretches, with deaths falling from 1,955 in 2023 to 1,016 in 2024.
The SSF’s Intelligent Transport Management System, using AI, IoT sensors and ANPR-based enforcement, has helped cut average response times below seven minutes, guided by a “7E Framework” — engineering, enforcement, education, electronics, emergency care, engagement and evaluation.
SDGP Amardeep Singh Rai said the force’s personnel undergo specialised training, including from the Red Cross, with victim assistance as their sole performance metric. “The success isn’t just from new vehicles, it’s a shift in philosophy from enforcement to service,” Yadav said.
